BARELY NOTICED – AT 8:43 A.M. ET:  Amidst the continuing nuclear drama in Japan, the desperate plight of Libyan rebels is being forgotten.  Hey, yesterday's news.  No longer trendy.  I mean, my Gawd, we have a chance to put another nail in the coffin of nuclear energy.  Who cares about some ragtag Arabs who've never been to Aspen? 

Yet, the British and the French, having been rebuffed by other nations, including our own, are trying to organize some military assistance to the rebels, as President Obama prepares for a good-food trip to Latin America later this week.

France's foreign minister said on Wednesday that several Arab countries have pledged to take part in possible military action in Libya.

Alain Juppe says France and Britain have sought targeted air strikes on Libya, a move which would require approval from the United Nations Security Council and participation by Arab states.

Juppe wrote on his blog Wednesday that "several Arab countries assured us that they will participate." He didn't elaborate any more than that.

The French foreign ministry said it wasn’t enough for countries to say long-time Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi must step down, they must also help opponents to his dictatorship.

That last comment was directed at Obama, and the collapse of his leadership. 

But, realistically, the chances of the Security Council approving any action are slim, and the rebels can't hold out much longer.  What we are seeing is a policy collapse by the free nations of significant proportions, and, as Fouad Ajami has said, we will pay a painful price down the line. 

But the president of the United States, this pathetic little man, apparently doesn't care.

March 16, 2011